Pressing apparatus



J. J. BERRIGAN. PREsslNG APEARTUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1918.

Patented'Apn, 1920.."`

J. J. BERRIGAN. PREssuNG APPARATUS.

Ma@ he@ JOHN J'. IBERRIGAN, 0F ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 A. CORPORATIN 0F NEW JERSEY.

PRESSIN G APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

HENRY R. WORTHINGTON,

Application led March 9, 1918. Serial No. 221,378.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. BERRIGA'N, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Orange, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pressing Apparatus, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to improvements in pressing apparatusand is particularly applicable to that type of pressing apparatus set forth inv applicants former Patents 1,130,701, 1,130,873, 1,130,879 and 1,131,032.

The structures referred to include, in general, a pair of coperating pressing members mounted for a general up and down movement, means for causing the pressing members to mutually approach and recede as they descend and rise, and means, such as a fluid pressure cylinder and piston, for raising the pressing members and checking their gravita] descent. provides pressing apparatus of this type by which there is made possible a material rcduction in the Weight of the press, in the cost of manufacture, and in the expense of installation.

lVith the above objects, and other objects which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, in view, the invention consists inthe features of construction and combinations of parts which will be rst described in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, and then more particularly point- 'ed out in the claims.t

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, with parts broken away. of a pressing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the parts out ofy pressing phase; f

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the parts at the end of the pressing operation;

Fig. 3 is a View' in end elevation, with parts broken away, taken from the righthand side of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged. partial vertical sectionzl view; and

Fig. 5 is a face view, with parts broken away, of one of the supplemental pressing partitions.

Referring to the-drawings, the apparatus The present invention includes a pair of coperating pressing members or platens 10, 11, mounted as hereinafter described. Means is provided for pivotally connecting these press platens together for relative angular movement, the construction preferably being such that the angular relation of the platens may be varied and the distance separating them may have a wide range. Although capable of various constructions, in the present embodiment, in the lower corners of the platens 10, 11 are pivotally journaled pins 12 having block portions 18 through which passes a long rod 14,. The rod 14 is threaded and a hand wheel 15 is provided, and by turning the wheel the angle between the platens may be varied as desired. In the embodiment here illustrated, this connecting means is provided, in duplicate, on each side of the press.

The press platens 10, 11 are pivoted for angular or rocking movement toward and from each other, and) in the type of press shown this angular movement is combined with anup and down movement, so that when raised to a certain position and released the platens may descend and move angularly under the action of gravity, and

means are provided for causing the press platens to mutually approach ,and recede from each other during such descent and rise. vAlthough this movement may be secured by various constructions, in that here illustrated thepress platens are pivotally mounted in lever or link members having an angular movement about Xed fulcrums, these fulcrums being in a plane lying below the plane through the points where the platens are pivoted to said members. As shown. the press platens 10 and 11 are each provided with a cross shaft 16, the ends of which form'horizontally projecting trunnions. These trunnions are journaled or pivotally mounted in lever members 17, 18 of the configuration shown in Fig. 1. To pivotally mount the levers, each pair is secured to a cross shaft 19| which is. journaled in a stationary boxing formed by pedestals or supporting members 20. These pedestals are secured to the floor or other base 2l and are connected lengthwise of the press by tension'rods 22. These tension rods pass through holes in the supporting members above and below the fulcrums of Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

` gular movement with respect to their fulcrums, vthe pressing members are caused to move toward each other as they descend, so that any material between them will be subjected to a pressing action by this move- A lment,as well as by the angular or rocking movement ofI the platens which forces together the partitions and.. bags from their l -bers' so asl to ioat therebetween.

inclined or spread position, as shown in Fig. 1, into their vertical compressed position shown in Fig. 2.

The lever members on each side of the press are tied together by a longY link 24 nwhich is. pivoted to the upper corner of one lever member and the lower corner of the other. For purpose of adjustment, one end of the link is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 26.

The proportioning and adjustment of the parts are intended to be such, under the best conditions of operation, that when material is in place between the pressing members, the latter will have such.a llimit of downward movementl that their pivotal points andulcrums lie in substantially th same horizontal plane-or, at least, the pivotal points will be only slightly above the fulcrum plane. Furthermore, at this limit, the pressing faces of the pressing members should lie in substantially vertical planes.

The invention includes means, mounted to be free from the strain and weight ofthe press, for controlling the pressing members. That is to say, means for raising the pressing members and for regulating their gravital descent. This controlling means has-a floating connection with the' associated parts and may have operating connection with the. lever members and act on .the pressing membersthrough them. Although capable of various constructions, in that shown the controlling means includes a iuid pressure cylinder 27 Aand piston 28. Cylinder and piston lie in a horizontal plane and are pivotally connected with the lever mem- To this end, the cylinder 27 hasl an extension or lug 29 which is pivotally connected to the lower corner of the lever member, and the outer end of the piston rod 28 has a lug 30' piv- ,oted to the lowery corner of the oppositelever member 17. To support the inner end of the cylinder, the latter is provided with a bar 31 which ,rests on and slides over the lug 30.l As appears in the drawings, this controlling means is duplicated, one set be'- ing provided on each side of the apparatus.

The controlling means is capable of being used to raise the press members, to check their descent by operating as a controllable power brake, and to apply an extraneous force supplemental to gravity for increasing the pressure on the material being treated. In the presentembodiment, associated with each cylinder is a pipe 33 provided at each end with valves'34, 35 vconnected with couplings 36 leading to the cylinder. Between the valves 34, 35 is a T-coupling 37 connecting with a fluid-supply pipe 38. At each end of the cylinder are outlet valves 39, 40.

Fig. 2 represents the press subsequent to a pressing operation. vThe water supply being turned on, valve 34 open and valve 35 let valve 39 opened. Preferably this outlet is connected with the outlet on the other cylinder, and between the two is an adjustable outlet (not shown) The descent of the parts moves the piston head against the fluid in the cylinder and, as the fluid dischargev is regulated, the descent of the parts may be controlled. If it is desired to supply an extraneous pressure, the valve 35 is opened and luid under pressure admitted in front of the piston head.

In structures embodying the invention in its entirety, the weight of the press is materially lcut down without sacrilicing any pressing area. To this end, the main pressing members are relatively small as compared with similar devices previously known? rlghe press includes, in connection with these main'pressing members a relatively large number of supplemental pressing partitions. Although capable of various constructions, in the embodiment shown the upper corners of the platens 10, 11 carry clip-like brackets 45 which ride over side supporting frames 46 braced by blocks 47. Resting on and supported by these frames, are a large number of hanger bars 48 for supporting the press bags 49. These bags are provided with a pair of hanging tabs 50 (Fig. 3) through which the rods or bars 48 are passed to suspend the bags in place.

Located between each two adjacent press bags isa supplemental pressing partition 51. While'this may be of any suitable construction, it is shown as a lattice formed of a plurality of parallel slats 52 running in one direction and a second series of similar slats 53 at right angles to the former. This pipes on the right side, the other on the pressed liquid. At the bottom, the partitions have a thicker cross bar 153 (Fig. 4) which serves to clamp the bag bottoms to substantially close thesame.

Means is provided for mounting the partitions in a simple, inexpensive manner and such that there is a wide range in the number of partitions which may be utilized.

these bars. The proper relative spacin of the partitions when the pressing mem ers are raised, is maintained by link chains 54 secured at substantially equally spaced intervals to the partitions, the ends being secured to the platens.

Means is provided for feeding the material to be treated to the press bags. This may be of any suitable construction. As here shown, on each side of the press is a feed pipe 57 freely slidable in brackets 58 carried by the press platens. VConnected with each of these pipes is a fiexible hose leading to the source of supply. Each bag has a leading-in pipe 59, these pipes being staggered for consideration'of space. This is to say, alternate bags have the leading-ifi;

le (see Fig. 5). Each leading-in pipe v59 is connected by a flexible hose 60 and a valve 61 with its respective feed pipe 57.

It is noted that the construction` described is such that a large number of partitions or supplemental pressing members .may be used, as the partitions have merely a sliding support on the side bars, thus being freely suspended. Furthermore, there is practically no dimensional limitations of the associated parts.` The platens may be positioned the desired distance apart, the rods 14, side bars 55, brackets 45, chains 54 and feed pipes 51 being furnished the length required. In other words, the number of supplemental pressing members which may be used is not limited by any connecting or securing means or the like. y

The parts being in the position of Fig. 1, the press bags are filled with the material to be treated. The pressure in the cylinder being released, the press members are allowed to descend under the force of gravity.

`This swings the levers K1n such manner that the press platens are caused to move towardV each other, thus pressing the material in the bags between the pressing members. The

members closer together,

expressed liquid escapes by the latticed partitions into a collecting tank 63 from which it may be drawn off in any suitable manner. At the conclusion of the pressing operation the parts have reached the position of Fig. 2. lThe fluid pressure is then admitted through valve 34. This causes. the controlling means to swing the levers in the opposite direction, so as to raise the press members again. The hand wheels 15 are turned to separate the lo'wer ends of the platens so the bags may be emptied and the` apparatus is ready for another cycle.

With the construction described, the controlling means, whi'ch floats between the lever members, is free from the weight and strain of the press members, this weight and strain being taken by the pedestals and tension rods. This is especially important with the rising and falling platens, but'of value, also, in presses in which the pressing movements of the platens are secured without the rising and falling movement. Furthermore, as the strain of the press members is taken by the pedestals, there is no excessive strain onthe foundation and no unusual or specially prepared foundation is required, as only the weight of the press is to be con- .sidered and this is greatly reduced by the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pressing apparatus, the combination with coperating pressing members mounted for gravital movement downward, and means for causing the downward movement of the pressing members to bring said of means, mounted to be free from the weight of the press, for checking the downward movement of the pressing members.

In a pressing apparatus, the combination with coperating pressing members mounted for gravital movement downward. and means for connecting said pressing members for angular movement relative` to each other, of means, mounted to be free from the weight of the press, for moving said pressing members upward, and mechanism arranged to move the pressing members angularly toward each other during their downward movement and to separate them durinlg their upward movement.

a pressing apparatus, a pair of cooperating pressingvmembers mounted for gravital movement downward and means for connecting said pressing members for angular movement relative to each other, of mechanism arranged to move said members angularly toward. each other during their downward movement and to separate them during their upward movement, and means for `moving said .pressin members upward and for checking their escent, said means having a floating connection with the associated parts.

4. In a pressing apparatus, a pair of cooperating press members arranged to have a general up and down movement, leverage means for causing said press members to mutually approach and recede as they descend and rise, and controlling means for the press members connected with said leverage members to float therebetween.

5. In a pressing apparatus, a pair of cooperating press members pivoted to rock toward and from each other, and a controlling fluid pressure cylinder and piston mounted to float between the pressing members.

6. In a pressing apparatus, operating press members pivoted to rock toward and from each other, a pair of lever members connected to the press members and mounted to move the press members-toward and from each other, and a controlling Huid pressure cylinder and piston having a l[floating connection between said lever memers.

7. In a pressing apparatus, a! pair of opposedpress members, a pair of lever members connected to the press members and mounted to move the press members toward and from each other, and a controlling Huid pressure cylinder and piston having a floating connection between said lever members.

8,-In a pressing apparatus, the combinav-tion with a pair of fulcrums, of a pair of lever members angularly movable about said ulcrums and extending toward each other, .a pair of coperating pressing members, each carried by its respective lever member, Yand a fluid pressure cylinder and piston having a floating connection between said lever members.

9. In a pressing apparatus, supporting pedestals for each end of the press, tensionV rods connectingsaid pedestals, a pairof cooperating press members mounted to have ya general up and down movement, lever' members for causing said press members to mutually approach and recede as they descend and rise, and controlling means for (the press members, the whole being so mounted that the weight and strain of the parts are taken by said pedestals and tension rods. A

10. In a pressing a paratus, a pair of co operating press mem rs arranged to have a general upand down'movement, meansA for causing said pressing members to mutually approach and recede as they descend and rise, controlling means for said press members, said means acting in a substantially horizontal direction, and a relatively large number of supplemental pressing a pair' of comembers associated with said first named pressing members. i

11. In a pressing apparatus, a pair of cooperating pressing members. arranged to have a general, up and down movement, lever members for causing said pressing members to mutually approach and recede as they descend and rise, controlling means for the pressin members connected with said lever mem ers to float therebetween, 70 and a relatively large number of Supplemental pressing members associated with said first named pressing member.

12. In a pressing apparatus, a pair of cooperating pressing members arranged to have a general. up and down movement, lever members for causing said pressing members to mutually approach and recede as they descend and rise, controlling means for the pressin members associated with said lirst named pressing members, and a feedl pipe slidably mounted along theside of said pressing members.

13.` In a pressing apparatus, the combinatio-n with Acoperating pressing members arranged to have' al general up and down movement, lever members for causing said pressing members to mutually approach and recede as they descend and rise, a uid pressure cylinder and piston having a floating connection between said lever members, side supporting bars, a plurality of supplementalv pressing members freely suspended on said bars, and means for maintaining substantially equal intervals between said supplemental pressing members at the tops thereof when the press is in raised position.

14. In a pressing apparatus, the coperating pressing members 10, 11, the pedestals 20A and tension rods 22, the lever members 17,

.18, and the floating cylinder 27 and piston 28, the supplemental pressing members 51 having theshoulders 253, the side bars 55, the brackets 45 and the hanger bars 48, substantially as described.

15. In a pressing apparatus, the coperating pressing members 10,11, the pedestals 2O and tension rods 22, the lever members 17, 18, and the floating c linder 27 and piston 28, substantially as escribed.

16. In a pressing apparatus, the coperating pressing members 10, 11, the pedestals 20 and tension rods 22 the lever members 17 18, the floating cyllnder 27 -and piston 28, and supplemental pressing members between the members 10, 11, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 

